Monday, December 26, 2016

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that.

I grew up in a housing project in eastern Richmond, Virginia.

In what genre do you write?

I’ve written in comedy and horror, but I prefer paranormal romance.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?

This book is about heartbreaking loss. It’s about a mother’s fear and determination to find her kidnapped son even if it means making a deal with the devil, or an angry god. She rips through a frozen city leaving behind death and madness although that was never her intention. She just wants her baby boy. Does she find him, or is there something more powerful preventing her from claiming her son?

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens.

I’m an impromptu writer who just sits down at the computer. I never have any paper. I may start off with the best intentions and use a script, but then I veer off that path within a few minutes. The character conversations have replayed in the head a thousand times. I’ve seen the scenes over and over again. I don’t need any backup. It’s all in there simmering in my soul like a favorite stew waiting to be digested. The only means of digestion – getting rid of it – is through my fingertips. Only then can I move on. Does it sound like a curse – why yes it is!

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?

No, because I’m not important. How can the world care about me like that? The world is very old? We’re only here for a moment. It is best to do something good for one person before we move on than to think we can affect the entire world. When I finally close my eyes, I would like to think that I’ve helped as many people as I could before being laid to rest.

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

I rely on the kindness of experts. I know nothing about editing or cover design or publicity. That’s okay. I’ve met and worked with some great people who became friends. It can’t get any better than that!

Who is your favorite author? Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy.

Well, Stephen King is one of my favorites, but I sampled writing long before Uncle Stephen came into the picture. However, the one book that affected me the most was the original Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I think that by the time I got to Page 25 I was thoroughly terrified. Just Wow! No other writer has given me chills like that and so quickly. It was magnificent. When I saw the movie adaptation years later I wanted to find the director and shoot him for passing off that slop as worthy of the writer’s vision. What a maroon!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, time. I never have any time to right. It’s been my biggest frustration. I never have time to do anything I “want” to do. The “need” to do things always come first and then it’s time for bed. In the morning, I just hit repeat.

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

I follow the script behind my eyes. They’ve already told me their stories – over and over and over again. I just have to get it down so that they can release me.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters?

I’m all my characters…male/female/even she-pooch. There’s a bit of me in every single one.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I have a very demanding day job. I’m an analyst which leaves little room for creativity so the writing does help.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

Harriet Tubman. How was it that she was so brave in the face of such adversity? How was it that she recognized the path to freedom and went back to help others without hesitation? The other person I admire is Mother Teresa. How was it that she descended into such poverty just to help so many people especially those who were labeled outcasts? I’m an ant compared to these women.

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?

I don’t know. I’m not exceptional, but I strive to be a good read with the right amount of twists and “I didn’t see that coming” moments. I try not to bog the readers down with a lot of detail. I like to throw in throwaway characters to move the plots along…but these characters must do that – be very interesting and move the plot along from a fresh perspective. I’ve seen Stephen King do that most effectively.

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?

I’ve lost thousands of dollars trying to market my books. I’ve tried to quit writing too just to save myself the expenses and enjoy my life without the additional financial burden. I’m lucky that my husband is supportive and helps me out otherwise I would’ve bowed out long ago. I’m nowhere near recouping any losses, but I’ve hired an expert to help. Hopefully we will start making a dent in the outflow and get some inflow. In this case, I’m relying on the expertise of an expert.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that.

The Independent Republic of Kent

In what genre do you write?

Philosophical-literary fiction

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?

ARCHIPELAGO is a metaphorical fugue of dissonance that conflates, and confronts, supra-realities with the ineffable nature of language. It contains a thematic exposé of the philosophical problems of language and as such it presents itself through a meta-fictional, post-modern kaleidoscope. It is a whole roller coaster of text and should not be read by those who have difficulties with equilibrioception.

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens.

My style is essential best described as, “making simple concepts more complex than they ought to be.” Everything is outlined and I see myself as a ‘constructivist,’ merely filling in the sections.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?

Yes, although the world is an inordinately vast place so fulfilling the true objective is problematic

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

I have an editor, who is superb and attentive. The cover for my first novel was supplied by a fine artist and I am grateful to her.

Who is your favorite author? Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy.

Flann O’Brien and, on occasion, I try to emulate his style.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Saying, “Enough and finished”

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

All characters are fully outlined before the main work begins. I find this makes matters much easier and assists with consistency.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters?

I think all authors do, so yes.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

Writing is my full time job, writing novels isn’t though.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

My grandparents and advise them to stop whilst the going was good

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?

The unusual qualities of it. I see little or no point in trying to engage in the tradition of English Literature. Do we need another Jane Austen? Essentially: “make it new.”

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?

Monday, December 12, 2016

Mari Collie. That isn’t quite true. That’s my penname. Real name is Marilyn Collier, but anyone can see the correlation.

Title:

Fall and Rise of the Macas

Subtitle:

Fall and Rise of the Macas Book 6 Chronicles of the Maca

Where are you from?

Are you ready for this? I was born on a farm in Iowa on a mattress (covered with oilcloth) that my parents had made. There was no electricity, but there was a bathroom upstairs. Then we moved and that farm had no inside bathroom. Rather than write an epistle, let’s just say I’ve also lived in Phoenix, in Northwest Washington on the bank of the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River, and now in the quirky little city of Twentynine Palms in the high desert of Southern California. The U.S. Postal system refuses to let there be a hyphen in Twenty-nine as is correct for that makes more characters than they allow.

In what genre do you write?

Mostly science fiction, although the first three of the series contained American and world history. The entire series is a family saga. The family just happens to be beings from another planet that produced mixed alien/Earth children with different abilities. My short stories can be anything from science fiction, love stories, even a couple of normal “feel” good stories, mystery, horror, and most have a twisted ending since they sprang from my take on humans and the world.

In your own Words, what is your book about?

The Thalian/Justine mutant, Maca of Don, has cleared his planet Thalia of Justines, Krepyons, and the Sisterhood, but a new aggressor has arisen. The Thalians win the battle against the Draygons and return to a peaceful Thalia. That is when the murders begin. The new Kenning Woman almost dies in the search for the Book of Gar. Each continent of Thalia is ruled by a hereditary Maca of the House. One Maca is accused of the murder and then collapses. The Maca of Ishner is so incompetent, her continent is overrun with the resurgent Sisterhood and verging on chaos. More of the Maca of Don’s Earth family arrives and interrupts the investigation. The Maca of Don takes matters into his own hands and hunts down the murderess. The riots begin on Ishner and a new Maca arises. In short, it is one action scene after another.

What is your writing style?

I sit down at the keyboard and my fingers type the story that is running through my head. I can see the characters, hear them talk, smell them, and I know the color of the clothes they are wearing. I have to keep myself from writing the exciting chapters first as they are much more fun than the needed ones to keep the story moving.

Have you ever written a story and thought, “The world has got to see this?” Why else would I publish the novels and stories? I want people to enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed reading the works of others.

Do you have an editor or cover designer, or do you do this yourself?

I’ve hired an editor once. Then she found a nine to five job. I go over and over the novels and stories. Creativia does editing and designs the covers. That is why they charge a fee. The fee they charge is smaller than what I would have to pay a cover artist and they do fabulous covers.

Who is your favorite author?

People really don’t understand, but Will and Ariel Durant are my favorite authors. I wanted to be a historian or archaeologist, but my family could not afford to send me to college. I couldn’t even afford to use the two scholarships I did receive. Yes, I still read history and archaeology books.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, the editing. I know what I wanted to write. How could it be wrong? Then there is the research for medical conditions. No problem on the historical research, just understanding the medical and putting that into intelligible form.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, the marketing.

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

They write themselves.

Do you ever write yourself into one of the characters?

Not really. My stories are far more exciting than my life. Like any author I do take characteristics from people I’ve known. Anna, a character in the first three novels has a personality like my mother’s.

Is writing your full time job or are your keeping your day job?

I did not write to publish until I retired. I had published a short story when I was in my thirties and realized that was not going to pay for an automobile.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

Martin Luther; the one that nailed the 95 Thesis on the All Saints Church door in Wittenburg.

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?

I tell a story that draws you in and keeps you there. Then, when you finish, you want to know what happens next.

In the world on the Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don’t have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies would benefit from?

Alas, I am clueless when it comes to marketing. I know if I were in a metropolitan area, I would be able to find bookstores that would let me do a reading. This area, however, doesn’t have “new” bookstores, but two of the used bookstores are carrying my works. Like other Indies, I rely on the social media. Creativia does do some of the marketing so that has been a huge help.

Monday, September 12, 2016

The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam epic historical fantasy series

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that.

I'm originally from Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island, not far from—would you believe?—Hicksville, New York.

4. In what genre do you write?

Fantasy and Mystery/Thriller

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?

The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam series is a riches-to-rags saga of a king who had it all, lost it, and battled to regain it—and every dragon along the way.

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens?

Most of my novels have begun as National Novel Writing Month projects. I usually start with an idea of where I'm headed with the story. Then the characters take over and all I can do is try to keep up with them. For "The King's Ransom," I did try "pantsing" most of it but found that was too stressful. I'm better off starting with something of an outline or road map, even if the story does tend to veer off into uncharted territory.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?

*chuckle* I feel that way about all my work ;-)

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

I do have several beta readers, editors, and proofreaders, but I do my own covers. They do well in cover contests and I get lots of compliments on them.

Who is your favorite author? Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy.

I enjoyed Faye Kellerman's "Ritual Bath" so much that I did indeed decide, "I want to do that!"

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I wish that I could write faster.

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

The characters definitely write themselves through me. One character who made his first appearance in "The King's Ransom" continues to lobby for his own book.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters?

I suspect that every character has some little piece of me. Except the villains, of course.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

My day job is writing, editing, publishing and selling nonfiction. In my "spare" time I write, edit, publish and sell fiction.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

Carl Sagan.

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?

Although my books are "genre" books as in Fantasy or Thriller, I strive to make the characters feel realistic and familiar. They struggle with the challenges many of us face: divorce, career displacement, leadership responsibilities, parenting, etc.

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?

I'm located in an area that has no independent bookstores. I am grateful for the support of our art centers which make it possible for me to hold book signing events, and keep copies of my books on hand for purchase. Our grocery store also stocks my books and offers me the chance to hold book signing-and-sale events.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

After 15 years, this day is now basically a holiday like veterans day or memorial day. The day we should all remember that we should no longer classify ourselves as White, black, Asian Hispanic or so on. We are "AMERICANS" plain and simple. This is all of our country and we are letting it fall to pieces. Where's the love people? Show some love to your fellow man on this day of "Togetherness."

Negativity only attracts more negativity. Love spreads and happiness grows. The same as hate. When our Grandchildren learn about this time in American History, do you want them to be learning of how America fell. Or, would you want it to be another epic story of how the American people overcame the greatest of odds in order to prove to the rest of the world yet again that they were a force to be reckoned with?

It really is up to each and every one of us. Don't think that one person can't make a difference. How many people do you know? What if you influenced even half of those people to spread love instead of hate? What if they influenced half of the people they know? You see all these memes about the separation of us. Black lives matter, White lives matter and so on. Stop doing that. Stop sharing them. Start making and sharing examples of unity. Spread the positive message and cock block those racist fuckers spreading the negative message.

Have you ever thought that maybe "The Man." you know that anal retentive "White." guy from the 1950's or the guy raised by "That Guy." who is pretending to be " Down with the times." but secretly wishes it was still like it was when we were segregated, what if he and a ton of friends who secretly felt the same way as he did figured out that the only way to defeat us ( Those who believe that we are all equal and should be treated that way. Yes Dr. King, We are still fighting this fight.) Was to make us all turn on each other?

That is what we are doing. Instead of taking this through the legal system all the way to the top, the way it should be done when the government or any of it's employees are abusing their powers, we are fighting in the streets or shooting at any random government employees in hopes that we may actually hit one of the "Bad" ones. #Eyeroll

Sounds really stupid when you come out and say it like that doesn't it? That is because it is. There are proper ways and channels in which these things have to be done and all of them require a certain degree of civility. If your neighbor came into your yard cussing you out and acting like a nut and then asked you to make sure your kid didn't hit a baseball into his yard again, would he get the same reception as he would have if he came over, shook your hand and them calmly told you what happened so that you could have the dignity of handling your children yourself?

We got big problems right now. I'm not saying we don't. But our problems are not with each other. Our problems are with a government who is not properly punishing it's employees when they let their petty and unsanctioned prejudices get in the way of them doing their jobs properly. This is not and never should have been a race issue. We know there are racists still. There probably always will be. Our problem is with the people who should be making sure some dumb ass racists can't take his shit out on people are not doing their jobs.

You are allowing yourselves to be led like a bunch of lemmings. It is not all cops fault that some of them are racist ass pigs who take advantage of their powers and make all cops look bad. I assure you that a good cop would want nothing more than to beat the shit out of a bad cop when they come across them. I can also assure you that they have. They just also have to support the badge in unison in public. They have to show a united front or the who system could fall. You are not an individual. You are part of the whole and you are to follow orders. If they tell you to act normal, you fucking act normal. It is part of your job as a public servant to keep the people calm. Never let on your true feelings.

It does not mean they are backing the crooked cop. It means they are loyal to the institution of being a police officer. You have to protest the right way. I'm sure if people were to peacefully seek out lawyers to take some of these case further in the proper manner, one would be like: Yeah. It's about time someone took on the institution. if enough people back them publicly and in the right way, things will get done.

Whenever the government says we don't negotiate with terrorists in the past all you were like: That's right. We don't negotiate with no terrorist. Just go blow them up. Now, that you are the ones acting like the terrorists. Looting, fighting in the streets, killing random cops in hopes that you hit a crooked one, ( I could go on.) now you want the government to start negotiating with you. The terrorist.) Look up the definition of terrorist. Does that sound like you? If not, you are delusional and need to seek therapy.

The only thing we are proving to the government by acting like idiots is that we can not be trusted to govern ourselves anymore and they will see no choice but to declare marshal law and govern us themselves, As in a curfew, turn in all your weapons, We no longer have freedom of speech. All freedoms are suspended during marshal law. We will eventually be governed by the military. Troops in our streets. All streets. The whole nine yards. I don't want someone telling me when I have to be in my house for the night. Or someone telling me I have to give up my guns and sleep at night knowing if someone broke in, we ere as good as dead unless we could get close enough to use a bat but they are criminals so they probably have a gun so we are dead.

After all of that, I really only wanted to say that I will no longer be sharing anything that will help main stream media and that asshole " White Guy." and all his asshole friends further split us apart and I would hope that any true "American" would do the same.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker, Book 1 of the Death by Cupcake series

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that.

I’m originally from Wisconsin, but I haven’t lived in the U.S. for more than two decades now. I’m a gypsy at heart.

In what genre do you write?

I write everything from military suspense to romantic comedies to cozy mysteries.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?

Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker is so much fun! The mystery will keep you wondering whodunit until the very end. It’s a roller coaster adventure from pole dancing classes to police interrogations to stripper auditions. And there’s just enough romance to make your heart flutter.

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens?

I like to think I’m a total rebel, but since I mostly follow the rules of grammar, I guess that’s just a pipedream. When my muse hits me up with a new book idea, I grab my one of awesome journals and start taking notes. I usually have a synopsis and character outlines done before I start writing. With my latest cozy mystery, I did more outlining of the murder and clues before I started typing away. The hubby claims this was the best mystery yet so it looks like my days of thinking I’m a rebel are over. It’s outlining all the time from now on.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?

Totally. Then, the next day when the wine had worn off, I thought ‘maybe not’.

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

The BIGGEST mistake I ever made was not using an editor for my first novels. I thought I have a post-graduate degree; I know how to write. Um no. I know how to write legal briefs. I do not know how to copyedit an 80,000-word novel without reading over silly mistakes. My cover designer is my husband. I always have a vague idea of what I want the cover to look like. I tell him and then he goes to town.

Who is your favorite author? Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy.

This is such a hard question. I have writers I love like Khaled Hosseini and Amitov Ghosh who, when I read their books, I think “Oh God, why did I think I could write?” Because their novels are just plain beautiful. But then I’ll read Janet Evanovich and think “Oh yeah, this is what I want to do. Make readers laugh and forget they’re stuck with dysentery in a hotel in Vietnam”. (true story)

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

There always comes a point in every novel where I wonder if I can pull the story off. Can I manage to find the murderer? Can the heroine find love? I solve these types of issues with copious amounts of wine. Beer works as well.

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

I have these awesome ideas of what I think my characters should be like. Then, I start to write and the characters are like “What is she doing? That’s not what I’m like.” And I end up having to change everything.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters?

Totally (anyone who says no is a big fat liar). In Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker, the main character, Callie, is a total nerd. I was having a hard time portraying that. Then, I remembered: “Hah! I’m a nerd.” So, I looked at the nerdy things I do and totally copied them.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I write full-time, although I don’t make enough money to say I’m a ‘professional’ writer. Luckily, the hubby makes enough for the two of us.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

I’m going to have to go with Catherine the Great. I’m totally obsessed with Russian history (I even have a degree in history. Told you I was a nerd.) and I LOVE strong women. What’s stronger than a German woman taking over the Russian empire?

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?

I hope my books are more fun than your average cozy mystery. I’m talking strippers, pole dancing, and cross dressers as well as old ladies who think they are God’s gift to matchmaking and have no filters on what they say at all.

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?

Blogging. Blogging. And then blog some more. It’s really time consuming but if you stick with blogging, you’ll gain followers to whom you can sell your books!

Monday, May 30, 2016

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that.

I was born in the Bronx. Grew up in North Jersey and am currently misplaced in AZ.

In what genre do you write?

Jersey Justice is a thriller but I write in all kinds of genres. I don't like to be limited.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?

In my own words? Hmmm, that's hard, because I'm not sure I have my own words. My words seem to owned by the voices in my head. I'm occasionally allowed to borrow the words but if I claim them as my own the voices throw things against my skull, it kind of hurts...

Here goes...

Jersey Justice is the story of Jimmy Vincent. (Ouch! Damn it, the voices are starting already, I think that one was a rock...)

Jimmy was a bullied child, who, one day in college, finally had enough. He snapped, and turned his life into Batman's with out the costume and the cool gadgets. (OUCH! GRRRRRRR, I think that was a frying pan...)

Of course he isn't fighting super villains either, hmmm, maybe he's really not like Batman, he's more like Superman without the cape and the powers. So, maybe he's more like Clark Kent with a gun and deep sarcasm. Yeah that's it.

Jimmy helps people who can't help themselves, and in the mean time is always getting himself in jams as well. Especially when his sister, Carmen, comes back to town. (OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! They don't like it when I talk about Carmen, they're all in love with Carmen. I wrote her pretty hot... They're always fighting over her.)

Carmen brings trouble with her from Florida, in the form of ten million dollars, which is stolen, and a murder weapon. Jimmy's childhood friend, Marci gets in the mix and it turns into just another day in Jersey.

You need to buy the book, then the voices in my head will stop trying to escape by skull with heavy objects.

LOL. Love the answer!!!

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens.

Rules? I don't need no stinking rules!

I just sit down and write, and whatever comes out, comes out. It drives my writer friends crazy. That's a big bonus.

My thoughts exactly. I literally write it as if I am reading it. From the first page to the last. I never do scenes or character building. Don't have to. By the time I sit to type, they have already screamed at me about who they are for at least a year or more. I daydream and see what is happening before I ever write it down. It's like I'm telling my readers a story that someone else is telling me.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?

Hell yes, buy the book and you'll see! ;-)

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

Well, the editor was paid for by a friend who believed in me more than I believed in my self. That fact is still true. I had a friend help me with the cover design. I had an idea of what I wanted but she did all the work.

That is awesome. It's always nice to see Indies being supported by their friends and family. Even if I am admittedly a little jealous. Mine seem to think that after eight years, I haven't given up on my "Hobby" yet. The reason mine is not edited perfectly yet. I have had a few readers help me out but that is about it. Not one person in my family has even bought any of my books and I have three English majors in my family. That's why I really respect family and friends who believe in a persons talent enough to help them instead of secretly waiting for them to fail. That's also why I support Indie Authors so much and advertise for them for free. I know how it feels to have zero help and no support system.

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy.

I don't have a favorite author. Not just one. I don't have favorite anything. There are far too many choices i the world to narrow anything down to just one.

I can tell you this though, the author that made me feel like I could do this was Janet Evanovich. Her books, and Stephanie Plum character inspired my characters and story.

I freaking love Stephanie Plum!!! I was literally the first person in line the day One for The Money was released in theaters. I was positive they were going to do the whole series. That would have been awesome.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The marketing, it sucks.

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?

Oh, they absolutely write themselves. I have character voices in my head all day longing to get out and be heard, mostly at inappropriate times. I wish they didn't win so much. I'm not allowed in the grocery store, post office or church any more...

Same here. I have literally been caught having conversations with my characters when they were not cooperating. " Now, Ailis. You know if you go there, it won't be perceived well." She's all like: Have I ever listened to you before? Who is this book about? Me or you?

Do you ever write yourself into the characters?

All the time! It's very real that way, and easy to get feelings across.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

Writing has cost me more than I've made from it. Since I don't live in a cave, and eat bugs, I am still employed full time by the "man/women/person/whatever-appropriate-politically-correct-word-is-right"

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?

Me! but that would mean going forward in time. Seriously though, it would be god, so I could tell her what's she's doing wrong.

LOL. I have tried that. Usually, my car breaks or something the next day. I'd say, She does not like to be told she is doing anything wrong.

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?

Not yet. I have found a tom of free things but so have thousands of other authors. We're all doing the same things. I'm still trying to figure out how to stand out. I've given up several times but something gets me started again. I guess my stupidity runs as deep as my sarcasm. ;-)